Let’s Give Women Informal Cross Border Traders a Helping Hand

Why should anyone be interested first in informal cross border trade and second in the unique challenges faced by women informal cross border traders? First, Uganda’s informal cross border trade is a substantial and growing contributor to our gross domestic product that cannot be ignored. A joint Uganda Bureau of Statistics/Bank of Uganda Informal Cross Border Trade Survey estimated that in 2007, Uganda’s informal cross border trade with her neighbours amounted to just under US$ 777 million. The same survey estimated that as a percent of formal exports, Uganda’s informal exports performed as follows: 2005: 25%; 2006: 24% and 2007 58%.